Mosses and Lichens 



base. When this veil falls, the case is tightly shut by a round 

 lid, resembling in some species a tiny Tam-o-Shanter, and in 

 others a tiny dunce-cap. 



The lid has a point in the centre and its edges fit closely 

 about the rim of the spore-case. 



When the lid is thrown off, sixty-four blunt teeth are seen 

 to border the rim of the case. They are bent inward, and bear 



at their extremities a thin mem- 

 branous disk (epiphragm) which 



now closes the case. 

 .Veil 



Pedicel 



Leaves 



leaves 



Polytrichvm P i'lfcnitn . 

 Moss Gametophyte. 



Polytrichum commune. Summit of 

 spore-case with sixty-four teeth 

 surrounding a membrane. 



Within the spore-case are 

 myriads of green, dust-like 

 spores, which, when scattered 



36 



